The 17th Annual United Way All-Star Baseball-Softball Classic will hold its baseball game at the newly renovated Nick Cecchetti Field at Delta College at 4:45 p.m. Friday.

It marks the first time a game will be played there since the field turf was implemented.

"Our field was supposed to be completed sometime in May, and that didn't happen," Delta College athletic director Gary Scott said. "Because it's going to be the first game on the field, there's going to be a Delta College ribbon-cutting."

St. Mary's High coach Pete Pijl and Lincoln High coach Randy Ortega will guide the south and north teams, respectively. It marks each coach's third time coaching in the event.

Both teams held their lone practice on Wednesday at St. Mary's and Lincoln, respectively.

"The focus is to get everybody in the game and to have good camaraderie and showcase their talents," Pijl said. "We're going in trying to win the game and give everybody an equal amount of playing time. It's just a great thing to keep promoting baseball in our area."

Ortega said the opportunity to be a part of the all-star game is a special one.

"It gives the senior athletes an opportunity to play each other after competing all year," Ortega said. "I think it's for the players, the communities and the parents, and to give them an opportunity to play one last high school baseball game."

The 2007 softball game marks its ninth season, and the event will begin at 5:15 p.m. Friday at Delta.

St. Mary's coach Robert Harmon will make his coaching debut in the game, guiding the south team. He expects to start Calaveras pitcher Katie Busi.

"The event is done for the right reasons," Harmon said. "I'm not sure if it's caught on with the honor of being selected. My hope is that the kids appreciate the opportunity and go out and play well."

Lincoln High coach Tom Harper will coach the north team for the third time.

"It's a great time, because you get all of the players you've played against, you get to have a team made up of them," he said.

Several people will be recognized before the game, including longtime Tracy educator and coach Tom Hawkins, former Olympic softball player and Lincoln graduate Lisa Martinez-Shawver and the family of Cecchetti, the person the field was named in honor of. Cecchetti was a Stockton Police officer killed in the line of duty in 1978.

Admission for the games is $5 and free for children 10 and under. The proceeds of the event go to Stockton Police Youth Activities, Mitts 4 Kids Foundation, San Joaquin County Boys & Girls Clubs, High School Sports Programs, and the GHB Project, and Scholarship Funds.